What Is Echo Tops?
The height of the highest part of a storm the radar can detect. Taller tops usually mean stronger storms. In technical terms: The maximum height at which reflectivity exceeds a threshold (commonly 18 dBZ; also 30 or 50 dBZ variants) in a radar volume, interpolated between tilts; limited by beam geometry and the cone of silence.
Also called: ET, EET, Enhanced Echo Tops
Echo Tops In Plain English
The height of the highest part of a storm the radar can detect. Taller tops usually mean stronger storms.
The Technical Definition
The maximum height at which reflectivity exceeds a threshold (commonly 18 dBZ; also 30 or 50 dBZ variants) in a radar volume, interpolated between tilts; limited by beam geometry and the cone of silence.
Lessons That Use Echo Tops
- VIL, Hail Size, Spin Strength And Echo Tops Unit 12: Radar Science
